Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Gauri Kumari Yadav, on Sunday inspected the Hetauda Cement Industry. Minister Yadav today inspected the industry and held discussions with the management and employees to take stock of the condition of the cement industry.

Speaking at a discussion programme organized after the inspection, Minister Yadav said the closure of cement industries under the government was very sad and the government was preparing to resume all the cement industries that were closed due to the lockdown.

“We are studying how the Hetauda cement industry can be operated in a regular manner,” Minister Yadav said, adding, “It is very sad that many private cement industries are operating regularly but the government-owned cement industries are shutting down.” Minister Yadav said that the government has taken the problems of Hetauda Cement Industry seriously and will soon resolve all the problems and create an environment conducive for regular operation.

“The closure of these industries not only results in loss of employment but also affects economic condition of the country,” Minister Yadav said, adding, “The government is willing to operate the cement industry at any cost. Stating that the government alone could not run the industry in a regular manner, he said that the support of management and employees was necessary for the operation of the closed Hetauda Cement Industry.

Officiating General Manager of Hetauda Cement Industry, Shiva Narayan Sah, said that the industry was closed due to lack of supply of raw materials due to the old and dilapidated machinery.

Stating that the industry had to shut down due to lack of supply of raw materials, Sah said that they have not been able to provide salary and allowances to the employees for the past 11 months due to financial problems, they have not been able to pay the old dues of the raw materials suppliers and electricity bills. He said that the industry could be run regularly if the immediate economic problems could be resolved.

The factory, established in 2033 BS at Lamsure of Hetauda, had started production of cement in 2043 BS. Technicians say that the equipment is outdated and not in a good state to produce properly.